Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is an easy to grow hardy annual that has very attractive vivid orange flowers. It's petals are edible and can be sprinkled on salad leaves to add colour or they can be used as a substitute for saffron to add yellow colour to rice.
Pot Marigold makes an ideal addition to the veg patch as it not only attracts bees/beneficial insects eg ladybirds which eat aphids but acts as a good companion plant by repelling whitefly & tomato worm away from tomatoes & luring aphids away from beans.
It is thought to have medicinal properties & is added to herbal ointments to help stomach problems and other ailments. Makes an attractive & useful addition to the veg patch.
Pot Marigold Vegetable Seed Information
Seed Quantity:
Approx 150 seeds per pack.
Site:
Sunny/partial shade, well-drained soil, even tolerates poor soil.
When to Sow
Indoors/undercover March - May or September to November for overwintering.  Outdoors Apr - May direct sow
How to Sow:
Direct sow seed thinly into well prepared soil either in drills 1cm deep by rows 30cm part or scatter seed and lightly cover with a thin layer of fine soil. Germination takes 5-15 days. Thin the seedlings to about 20cm apart.
Care:
Wash flower heads before bringing into house to get rid off aphids that like them. Keep picking to ensure continued flowering until first frosts. Keep well watered in dry periods and keep weed-free as they will compete for light, nutrients & water.
Harvest:
June to October (til first frosts).